How A Sex Worker Stopped A Cross Country Serial Killer In A "Textbook Case"
Heather Fought Back And Managed To Grab Falls's Gun
Photo: KOIN 6Neal Falls came to Heather Saul's home under the false pretense of answering an ad she placed for escort services. When Falls arrived, he pulled a gun on Saul and forced his way inside. He began choking Saul, prompting her to fight back by grabbing a nearby rake. Falls made two mistakes at that moment that precipitated his demise - he put the gun down in front of Saul to grab the rake from her, and he left the safety off. Seeing her chance, Saul grabbed the pistol with one hand while fighting off Falls, who was behind her. Luckily for her, the safety was off as she instinctively pointed the gun behind her head with only one arm free and fired a round into Falls's head.
Falls Gave Saul A Choice: 'Rape Or Murder?'
Photo: CBS Evening News / YouTubeFalls gave Saul a choice when holding her at gunpoint: "I'm going to prison for a long time and it's your choice whether it's for rape or murder." Saul realized Falls had no intention of letting her live, and was simply toying with her. She listened to her instincts and began fighting back, perhaps catching Falls by surprise, judging from his folly in placing the gun within Saul's reach. After quickly firing a shot over her shoulder, Saul ran from her home to a neighbor's, where she called 911.
Police Found A Serial Killers Toolkit In Falls's Trunk
Photo: KOIN 6 / YouTubeThough law enforcement suspected a serial killer was operating in the area at the time, they never connected any murders to Neal Falls, that is, until they saw what he had in his car. Police opened the trunk of Neal Falls's truck to find an assortment of tools and supplies needed for the dismemberment and disposal of bodies. The items found included handcuffs, long knives, a box cutter, two axes, a machete, a sledgehammer, a bulletproof vest, another gun, shovels, a rubber tub large enough for a body, bleach and other cleaning supplies. Lt. Steve Cooper, chief of detectives for the Charleston Police Department, said, "My first thought was 'This is a serial killer's kit.'"
Authorities Connected Falls To 10 Different Murders
Photo: KOIN 6 / YouTubeWhen police saw the contents in Falls's trunk, they began looking into his past and quickly discovered a grisly trail of murdered women, some believed to be sex workers. Falls used to work as a security guard at the Hoover Dam, and police in nearby Henderson, NV began looking into links between him and four women, one missing while the other three turned up dismembered. Six more women from Ohio may also be victims of Falls, who were killed with the same modus operandi.
Police Found A List Of Potential Victims In Falls's Pocket
Authorities found a list containing the names of six more sex workers in Falls's pocket. Police believe Falls found all of them on Backpage and planned to murder them. With five targets located in West Virginia and one other in San Diego, CA, investigators believe Falls planned a cross-country killing spree targeting sex workers who posted online ads. Officers got ahold of the six women to inform them of their inclusion on a serial killer's hit list.
Falls Was Stopped By Police Days Before He Died
Photo: KOIN 6 / YouTubePolice stopped Falls multiple times in the days leading up to his death, but could find no outstanding warrants or any probable cause to search his car. Bodycam footage captured Falls at one of these stops, where he appears unsure of his address or where he's going next. Though Falls clearly appeared to be acting strange in the eyes of law enforcement, it was not enough for them to charge him with anything.
His Coworkers Reported Him For His Disturbing Behavior
Photo: FacebookWhen news of his death and his activities as a serial killer were made public, his former co-workers at the Hoover Dam began discussing what they remember about him on Facebook. His co-workers describe him as a sociopath who held contempt for women. Many had joked he was a serial killer and only to express shock upon realizing they were not wrong. Others talk about how they reported Falls for disturbing behavior like throwing rocks at rats to watch them die and carrying a book where he wrote his enemies' names in.
Falls Targeted Sex Workers He Found Online
Photo: CNN / YouTubeBy using online escort services, Falls managed to evade detection from law enforcement. The Internet allows individuals to advertise as escorts illegally. The clandestine nature of the encounters between sex workers and their clients allows for anonymity and a reluctance to come forward to the police if any wrong-doing occurs. Falls operated virtually unnoticed because of the stigma associated with sex work and the cash-only black market that escorts must operate under.
Neal Falls Had Multiple Addresses
Photo: KOIN 6 / YouTubeAn investigation into Falls's past showed he maintained multiple residences throughout the country. When questioned after a traffic stop, Falls failed to remember a single one of his addresses. He may have purposefully evaded the question, as evidence of his crimes may be present in one of his homes. Investigators have yet to reveal any discoveries made at his many homes.
There Is A Facebook Group Dedicated To Investigating Neal Falls
Photo: FacebookFreelance writer Heather Sutfin continues to investigate the connection between Falls and a group of murdered and missing women in Ohio. Though Falls was eliminated as a suspect, Sutfin began a Facebook Group dedicated to compiling and sharing information about Neal Falls and any potential victims. Since so many deaths involving sex workers go unnoticed, more possible victims of Falls's sadistic habits could exist out there.
